Battlements and the basement

The Battlements

We've made the castle keep battlements accessible for the first time in over nine centuries.

By installing a new staircase and lift, you can admire breathtaking views of the city in all four directions.

Norwich is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the UK. New illustration panels show the layout of medieval Norwich. You can compare it to the modern day city.

The battlements are an exhilarating experience. They are bound to be a highlight (literally!) of your time at Norwich Castle.

The Basement

At the other end of the keep you'll find the impressive basement. This large space is divided into north and south compartments.

North compartment

The northern half of the keep basement was probably used for storage. It contained large stone arches which supported the floor above. Today you can see the impressive medieval pier bases of this arcade.

The original stone arches were demolished when the keep changed from a palace to a prison. A beautiful light sculpture now traces the outline of the arches. This will help you imagine the space as it was at the time of King Henry I.

South compartment

The southern half of the basement provided further storage for the keep. It also contains the remains of the all-important well. A secure fresh water supply was crucial to any castle. The keep was built around the position of the well. Its shaft originally extended from the basement through the principal floor to the mezzanines above - over 65 metres!